Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-27
The Railroad People Claim thar
Things will 20 on ms Usual To-day.

THE STRIFE ON THE READING.
The Railroad People Claim thar
Things will go on rs Usual To-day.
The Reading Railroad employees, with the excep-
ton OF the passenger trainmen, signal men,
watchmen ana gate-keepers, were ordered on
strike saturday. There will be nearly 1000 men
aTectee- This course was resolved upon Satur-
day az the first convention OF the new district as
sembly Of Reading Railroad employees. About
seventy-hve delegates were in attendance, repre-
senting every branch OF employees OF the road.
After over four hours elaboration an order was
issued for general strike on all lines operated by
the Reading company, with the exception Of those
In the passenger service, the order to include all
employees at the company's mines. 1t was stated
further that the passenger men would also be
ordered out soon II IL should be found necessary.
The convention adopted resolutions censurng
the company for violating the thirteenth article OF
the agreement made year ago between the OIL
GERS OF the company and the employees, which
read as follows: THAT every man employed by
the company shall receive fair and Just investi;
CATION OF any grievance, or complaint, entered
against him before he shall be discharged or sus-
pended" IL was because OF this violation and
the companys refusal TO arbitrate the differences
with the committee appointed TO settle the diff
Guilty that the convention decided 10 order the
strike. The order was issued at once, and word
was telegraphed 10 all the stations the system.
IL was also unanimously resolved that the en-
ployes OF the company, or committee represent
pany until a guarantee shall be given that the
articles OF agreement would be strictly adhered to
and until the dismissed men shall be reinstated.
The following notice was issued saturday night,
signed By General Manager Mcleod, OF the Phila-
delphla and Reading Railroad: "Work will be re-
sumed on Tuesday morning. December 81, at the
Port Richmond yard Employees Will report for
duty at that time. The places OF such as do not
report will be hlled by other men. The men dis
move trains 20 the place OF their destination VIII
not De permitted TO again enter the service OF the
company In any capacity"
General Manager Mcleod said that the Reading
Railroad Company intended TO manage It's own
affairs The question involved, Mr.. Mcleod con-
tended, was not one Of wages, but the far more
important subject whether the company should
manage Its own affairs, or whether they should be
managed by its employees. The company has re-
celyed applications for work from large numbers
OF men II protection should be guar nteed them.
The night, according to the statement OF the
Manager Mcleod for resumption OF work on
Tuesday, promises 10 be stubborn one. The men
declare that If they do not gain their point they
viii take more aggressive steps and will extend
the struggle TO every branch OF the service with
the single exception OF United states mail trains.
Engine No. 2ss the one on which the so-called
scab crew was placed, that precipitated the
strike. worked hard all Saturday night and To-
day, and did great amount or work placing
trains, coal and freight on side tracks, from Nice
town into Port Richmond. As result the thir-
teen tracks, and In one place nineteen tracks OF
the Reading road from the round-hOuse to Port
Richmond, distance of mile or so, is a solid
mass OF cars. Scattered through the mass are
twenty coal trains, with a burden OF about 5000
tons OF coal Between that place and Palo Alto 1t
1900 tons TO the amount unavailable for immedi-
ate use. The Officers OF the road at the Port Rich
rnond junction say that there Is enough coal ins
the yards at Port Richmond to supply the whole
city OF Philadelphia for several days.
COAL AND FREIGHT TRAINS STOPPED
All coal and freight trains on the Mahanoy and
shamokin division OF the Reading road have been
stopped, and the men are firm in their determina-
ton TO move no traffic.
on sunday, the 18th, over $500 loaded coal cars,
made up into SO trains, passed through Reading
from the Schuylkiu coal region for Port Richmond
and other points south. Last Sunday not a single
car was moved, and the coal trade is practically
dead. Tbs company employs at the shops In Read
ing about . 900 men, but they will not go out, as
they claim that they are not Included In the order
OF the Knights TO strike but the leaders in this
city expect such an order very soon, as to more
Railroaders' Assembly was held here sunday and
while no definite action was taken the prevailing
sentiment was In favor OF standing by the strikers
ALL SILENT AT PORT RICHMOND.
The great coal yards at Port Richmond were
silent and deserted yesterday. Long lines OF cars
stood on the tracks and general feeling Of desc
lation pervaded the place. The executive board
Of the employees convention were quartered all
Ray S IN little cigar store Telegraphic reports
Transport, Tamaqua and other places were read
showing that the men were still firm In their In
tenttop 10 hold out. Local Assembly 7OO7 had a
big meeting yesterday afternoon, and Endorsed the
action Of the employees convention in ordering the
strike.
.sThere is no strike on the lines OF this system
said prominent Official or the Reading Company
Monday. ave discharged five crews and several
other men employed at the Port Richmond wharves
for disobedience of orders, and they will never be
taken back again so long as the present manage
ment or this company continues Tomorrow
morning" said the same Official s'every train that
is scheduled will be moved, aud 1t is not expected
that the services OF non-union men will be re-
Quired 70 effect it, for the indications at present
are that there will be liberal response In the
morning from the employees or the company for
work, and the company takes the liberty TO say
that those who desire work will be accommodated
and given protection. III the company Is compelled
10 secure nom union labor that labor Will be given
permanent employment, and those whose places
they take will never be allowed TO again enter the
services OF the company"
An official OF the company, when told that there
was an agitation FOR arbitration or compromise.
said that there was nothing to arbitrate or com,
promise. ssThe only question at stake he said SIS
that the men have diSobeyed orders and they must
remain discharged. The others have got TO Work
and do as they are told, or they won't be allowed
10 stay where they are All that the Reading Rail-
road Co. asks Is the right to run its own property
There Is no question OF wages involved 1t Is only
the question as 10 who has the better right to con-
troll The property, the owners or the emplOyes-
A ShamOkfn dispatch says: Two freight trains
were moved Monday in this region on the Phila-
delphia and Reading road. Their crews were
hooted by boys, but no other demonstrations were
made. small number or conductors and brake
men will report for duty tomorrow, and many
engineers signify their intention TO resume when
called upon, claiming that they not knights of
Labor.
A dispatch from Pottsville saws: No trains OK.
cept passenger trains were moved Monday. AS to
the action OF the shop employees, reports and opin-
ions are confiicting The view OF the best author
ltleS Is tnat they VIII not quit work, at least not
unless the conpanyS attempt TO move trains
with non-union crews tomorrow should prove
successful.